2013 Ford Fusion: The car that has it all
Introduced in 2006, the Fusion has helped Ford become a serious competitor in the mid-size sedan class, after several years of concentrating on trucks and SUVs. The Fusion has always done well with its excellent style, different engines and good quality for the price, but it was missing something that would make it a real headliner – but the new generation introduced in 2013 could change all that. In fact, many believe that the latest Fusion is probably the most accomplished ever.
European flavour
Within its strategic global vision, Ford decided to put patriotism aside and, as was the case with the last generation of the Focus, they decided to base the new generation on the European version. The 2013 Fusion is based on its long praised European version, the Ford Mondeo, and the resulting design is very convincing. The 2013 Fusion demonstrates remarkable presence and character and the European influence is visible. This type of car is already quite popular, so it’s off to a great start. In front, the remodeled grille is reminiscent of an Aston Martin.
In fact, this Ford’s lines are nothing like those of the old generation, and its new threads give it a lot lower drag coefficient (0.27). We strongly suspect that this feature favours fuel economy. In a category when conservative styles seem to dominate (Honda Accord, Volksagen Jetta, Toyota Camry and others), the Fusion stands out from the pack. Hats off to Ford for being bold!
There are notable, albeit low-key, changes inside, too. The passenger compartment is modern, with great attention paid to details. Thanks to the car’s larger dimensions, there’s more space on board, with the exception of the loading capacity, which is a mere litre less. Let’s say it is statu quo. With Ford, we’ve come to expect a multitude of technological equipment, and the Fusion delivers on this front, too. Obviously, it comes with MyFord Touch, the computer that helps control everything by way of a touch and voice interface. Although some drivers like this system, others criticize its complexity, frustrated by not being able to execute a simple function in a few seconds, as the device can be hard to use while driving. The base trim, however, has conventional controls.
A vast array of engines
Under the hood, there’s a very impressive choice of engines, similar to those in the new Ford Escape. Offering such a wide selection is nothing like the recent trend adopted by the Korean manufacturers of having just one four-cylinder engine. The base trim of the Fusion ($22,499) has a 2.5-litre 175-hp four-cylinder paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. There are two other four-cylinders as well, but turbocharged this time. The 1.6-litre EcoBoost develops 178 horses, while the 2.0-litre turbo produces 240 and is the only one available for the AWD Fusion. The other engines transmit power exclusively to the front wheels. The Fusion hybrid is back with its electrically-assisted engine paired with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine, while an entirely electric Fusion will be offered later, thus completing the five drivetrain choices.
On the road
The first Fusion we got our hands on was the hybrid, now powered by a four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine combined with its electric engine and a continuously variable transmission. Over the 20-kilometre trip, the CVT proved smooth and silent, while the transition from electric to thermal power was nearly unnoticeable. Interestingly, you can now reach 100 km/hr in electric mode only, which is a net improvement compared to the old hybrid engine. Of course, the hybrid’s trunk loses a little space as the floor near the rear axle is raised to house the battery, but the difference is not dramatic.
The Fusion equipped with the 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine can be equipped with a Stop/Start system, an interesting option that optimizes fuel consumption and costs an extra $150. Ford believes that this option will quickly pay for itself. This four-cylinder delivers decent performances and is slightly more energetic than the four-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine, mainly because of its higher torque. However, we have a few reservations when this engine is paired with the less-convincing-than-anticipated manual gearbox. The engine struggled a little in the mountains and was noisy at times, especially when pushed. In spite of all that, if you drive it with moderation, the car will not be as noisy as it was when we roughed it up.
Next, we were entrusted with the Fusion Titanium with a 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine, a six-speed automatic transmission and AWD. Its power is similar to that of a V6, providing very lively accelerations and pick-up even in the mountains. All-wheel drive will also be attractive to drivers prepared to spend a little more money. In general, we liked the interior space and all the room between the driver/passenger and the dashboard. Visibility is excellent and the car transmits nice driving sensations.
The most interesting thing about the Fusion is that, unlike the Focus, its price has remained very competitive. They managed to upset the “European model = higher price” equation for the Fusion, while the Focus has seen its price jump more steeply.